Jeff,
Some of the advantages DDs have include - patients are registered where the
medicines are prescribed; dispensers know the patient; GP on hand for
questioning; constant supplies because DDs have practice formulary to hand.
The NHS advantage is the PPA reports year by year say it is less expensive
from DDs.
The Dispensing Compensation Fund was set up to contribute both professions.
Each profession paid into the fund and the chemists' fund paid the
doxctors and v.v. Individuals paid nothing directly. Loopholed
practices were paid nothing whatsoever even when the fund existed.
Separation of GMS from dispensing is/was being looked at.
"Something for nothing" and the many new dispensing GPs. Very many
chemists evaded the regulations by using the loophole. There is no
loophole for doctors to use and we are far too honourable to use one even
if there were :-}
Regards as ever
David.
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